Abstract: A method of promoting uniform heating of a liquid in a microwave oven, comprises providing a container including an interior space for receiving a liquid, the liquid within the interior space having an uppermost portion and a lowermost portion, providing a microwave energy shielding element for being substantially laterally aligned with the uppermost portion of liquid, and exposing the liquid in the container to microwave energy. The microwave energy shielding element reduces the transmission of microwave energy to the uppermost portion of liquid in the container, which is prone to overheating relative to the lowermost portion.

Abstract: To achieve a large thickness of conductive metal-containing material in a feature of a product unit processed with a liquid-based etch process, the desired thickness of material is apportioned to the two opposing surfaces of a substrate to create a two-part feature. Conventional features are made by identically patterning two same-thickness metal-containing layers and electrically connecting the resulting patterned parts in any suitable manner. However, features may also be made that do not have identical parts on opposite sides of the substrate, the two parts being electrically connected but differing in thickness, in shape, or both. Moreover, having two metal-containing layers separated by an insulator is also useful for allowing different sections of the same feature or circuit to cross one another without shorting, or to overlap in whole or in part without shorting.

Abstract: An exhaust stack cover sized to substantially conform and fit snugly, or elastically over the end and opening of the exhaust stack of a vehicle engine such that during transportation of the vehicle, wherein the engine is inoperative, a vacuum or air flow is prevented within the exhaust stack and thus the communicating turbine. Elimination of this vacuum and associated air flow prevents detrimental mechanical actuation of parts. Specifically the turbine shaft is protected, which is particularly susceptible to damage due to rotation without appropriate lubrication. The cover can be formed from a substantially heat resistant material such as neoprene which can withstand a substantial direct temperature by the exhaust stack as well as provide some elasticity in order to snugly and tightly grip the outside surface of the exhaust stack.

Abstract: An exhaust stack cover sized to substantially conform and fit snugly, or elastically over the end and opening of the exhaust stack of a vehicle engine such that during transportation of the vehicle, wherein the engine is inoperative, a vacuum or air flow is prevented within the exhaust stack and thus the communicating turbine. Elimination of this vacuum and associated air flow prevents detrimental mechanical actuation of parts. Specifically the turbine shaft is protected, which is particularly susceptible to damage due to rotation without appropriate lubrication. The cover can be formed from a substantially heat resistant material such as neoprene which can withstand a substantial direct temperature by the exhaust stack as well as provide some elasticity in order to snugly and tightly grip the outside surface of the exhaust stack.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for relaxing smooth muscle in a warm-blooded animal are provided, comprising the step of administering to the animal a transition-metal nitrosyl complex. In one aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula L.sub.3 M(NO).sub.y X.sub.3-y where L is a two-electron Lewis base or L.sub.3 is a six-electron Lewis base, M is a Group 6 or 8 transition-metal, and when y is 1, X is carbon monoxide, and when y is 2, X is a halide or pseudohalide. In another aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula ?M(NO).sub.2 X.sub.y !.sub.2 where X is a halide or pseudohalide, and when M is a Group 6 transition-metal, y is 2, and when M is a Group 8 transition-metal, y is 1. Methods are also described for treating hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease, and impotence utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above-described transition-metal nitrosyl complexes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for relaxing smooth muscle in a warm-blooded animal are provided, comprising the step of administering to the animal a transition-metal nitrosyl complex. In one aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula L.sub.3 M(NO).sub.y X.sub.3-y where L is a two-electron Lewis base or L.sub.3 is a six-electron Lewis base, M is a Group 6 or 8 transition-metal, and when y is 1, X is carbon monoxide, and when y is 2, X is a halide or pseudohalide. In another aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula [M(NO).sub.2 X.sub.y ].sub.2 where X is a halide or pseudohalide, and when M is a Group 6 transition-metal, y is 2, and when M is a Group 8 transition-metal, y is 1. Methods are also described for treating hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease, and impotence utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above-described transition-metal nitrosyl complexes.

Abstract: An electrostatic master for lithographic printing characterized by a base, a barrier coat thereon, and a photoconductive layer. The barrier coat includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic film-forming resin having labile hydrogen-containing functional groups and a conductive agent. The conductive agent is a quaternary ammonium salt. The salts have only a minimal effect on water resistance and result in excellent reduction in the dielectric characteristics of the barrier coat.

Abstract: There is provided a method of coating a paper substrate in either sheet or web form to form a base useful in forming electrostatic masters. A thin coating of a reactive film forming resin is applied to the paper and the resin reacted with an ammonium zirconyl complex and dried. This treatment avoids blocking or sticking together of successive layers of paper coated with relatively low glass transition temperature film forming resins.

Abstract: An electrostatic master for lithographic printing characterized by a base, a barrier coat thereon, and a photo-conductive layer. The barrier coat includes a hydrophobic thermoplastic film-forming resin having labile hydrogen-containing functional groups and a conductive agent. The conductive agent is a quaternary ammonium salt. The salts have only a minimal effect on water resistance and result in excellent reduction in the dielectric characteristics of the barrier coat.

Abstract: The present invention resides broadly in a method for the preparation of paper having improved water and/or solvent resistance which comprises applying to a base paper a plastic particle containing formulation, and then wetting the formed coating with a solvent to which the plastic particles are sensitive. The present invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of electrostatic paper masters of improved water resistance for lithographic printing having a photoconductive layer and a barrier coat to which the photoconductive layer is applied. The barrier coat contains a binding amount of a binder resin and filler at least a portion of which is an amount of said plastic particles sensitive to the solvent system of the photoconductive layer, the amount of plastic particles and sensitivity being sufficient to materially increase water resistance.

Abstract: The present invention resides broadly in a method for the preparation of paper having improved water and/or solvent resistance which comprises applying to a base paper a plastic particle containing formulation, and then wetting the formed coating with a solvent to which the plastic particles are sensitive. The present invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of electrostatic paper masters of improved water resistance for lithographic printing having a photoconductive layer and a barrier coat to which the photoconductive layer is applied. The barrier coat contains a binding amount of a binder resin and filler at least a portion of which is an amount of said plastic particles sensitive to the solvent system of the photoconductive layer, the amount of plastic particles and sensitivity being sufficient to materially increase water resistance.

Abstract: The present invention resides broadly in a method for the preparation of paper having improved water and/or solvent resistance which comprises applying to a base paper a plastic particle containing formulation, and then wetting the formed coating with a solvent to which the plastic particles are sensitive. The present invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of electrostatic paper masters of improved water resistance for lithographic printing having a photoconductive layer and a barrier coat to which the photoconductive layer is applied. The barrier coat contains a binding amount of a binder resin and filler at least a portion of which is an amount of said plastic particles sensitive to the solvent system of the photoconductive layer, the amount of plastic particles and sensitivity being sufficient to materially increase water resistance.

Abstract: The present invention resides broadly in a method for the preparation of paper having improved water and/or solvent resistance which comprises applying to a base paper a plastic particle containing formulation, and then wetting the formed coating with a solvent to which the plastic particles are sensitive. The present invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of electrostatic paper masters of improved water resistance for lithographic printing having a photoconductive layer and a barrier coat to which the photoconductive layer is applied. The barrier coat contains a binding amount of a binder resin and filler at least a portion of which is an amount of said plastic particles sensitive to the solvent system of the photoconductive layer, the amount of plastic particles and sensitivity being sufficient to materially increase water resistance.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a lithographic printing plate having a paper base and a lithographic printing surface thereon comprising a resinous coating, lower coat weights leading to high coating speeds can be obtained by first smoothing the base to not substantially greater than about 150 Sheffield units, then size-pressing onto the smooth base either a barrier coat for the lithographic printing surface or a single coat comprising said lithographic printing surface.

Abstract: An improved lithographic printing plate having a lithographic surface thereon comprising a resinous coating, at least a major fraction of which is a self-insolubilizing or cross-linkable cationic resinous binder.

Abstract: In a method for providing a cured coating on paper in which a coating formulation comprising a reactive polymer, a cross-linking agent, and a curing accelerator acid is applied to the paper, dried and calendered, the improvement for obtaining a controlled cure comprising encapsulating either or both the accelerator acid and cross-linking agent in microcapsules capable of rupture in the calendering step.

Abstract: The desirable attributes of both a barrier coat and a face coat and elimination of a coating step are obtained in manufacture of a lithographic printing plate having a paper base and a lithographic printing surface thereon, wherein said surface comprises a coating of positively charged colloidal silica and insolubilized hydrophilic polymer, by including in said coating non-flocculating pigment and resinous binder that is cationic or nonionic or mixed cationic and nonionic.

Abstract: In a lithographic printing plate comprising a base and a lithographic printing surface thereon, said printing surface comprising colloidal silica and an insolubilized hydrophilic polymer, the improvement which comprises providing a positively charged colloidal silica as said colloidal silica component and, as said hydrophilic polymer, a nonionic or cationic polymer or a mixture of the same.